Purlins, eaves beams & rails : Zed & Cee Sheeting Rails

Sheeting rails may be selected as either Zed profile or Cee profile sections. These are formed from the same coils and are each available in the same depth and thickness range. Cees may be substituted for Zeds at window and door framing and at composite cladding joints, etc.

The two types of section can be mixed on the same rail line though it is not possible to locate sleeves on the junction between Zeds and Cees. Each system should be regarded separately between such junctions when considering load capacities.

Three basic systems are given in this manual, i.e. the Sleeved System, the Butted System and the Double Span (Brick Restraint) System. A Heavy End-Bay System can be used though in practice this may be hampered by interaction with door standards, etc, and the designer will require to exercise caution if this system is used (and indeed may require to anticipate the possibilities of future alterations to the wall structure). The design disc provides a method of load assessment for this system.

Sleeved system This is a system of single bay length sections with sleeves at penultimate supports and at alternative internal supports. Minimum number of spans is 2 and the maximum span is 12.5 metres.
Butted system This is a single span system. The system is required for single bay length rails and is efficient for short spans or light wind loadings. Sections can be fitted running past the supports or may be within the depth of supporting sections. Maximum span is 11.4 metres.
Double span system (brick restraint) This is a relatively stiff system intended for use as brickwork restraints, or as window framing. Minimum number of spans is 2 and maximum transport length of section is 15 metres thus maximum span is 7.5 metres. Use double-span sections for the full length if the wall has an even number of bays and use a triple-span rail, ie double-span plus a sleeve, if an odd number of bays. Section thickness may require to increase for the triplespan case to compensate for the reduced stiffness, when compared with the double span system.
Design guidance Design guidance for the Steadmans Zed & Cee Sheeting Rails and their use with sheeting rail sag systems, cladding and fire rated boundary walls is contained in a PDF. Download the PDF by clicking on the link to the right.